Meaning
Without restraint, in large quantities, indiscriminately.
Cultural Background
In French political discourse, 'à tout va' is a favorite of editorialists to criticize 'la démagogie' (demagoguery). It implies that a politician is saying whatever people want to hear without a coherent plan. While used in Quebec, it competes with more local expressions like 'à la planche' or 'en masse.' However, in formal Quebecois media, 'à tout va' remains a standard way to describe excess. In countries like Senegal or Ivory Coast, French is often more metaphorical. 'À tout va' might be used to describe someone who is very generous or 'ambianceur' (a party person) who spreads joy to everyone. Belgian French uses 'à tout va' similarly to France, often in the context of bureaucracy or complex political arrangements where rules are applied 'à tout va' without considering individual cases.
The 'Judgment' Tool
Use this phrase when you want to sound like you're critiquing something for being 'too much.' It adds a layer of sophistication to your complaints!
Fixed Form
Never write 'à tous va' or 'à toute va.' It is a fossilized expression, meaning it never changes.
Meaning
Without restraint, in large quantities, indiscriminately.
The 'Judgment' Tool
Use this phrase when you want to sound like you're critiquing something for being 'too much.' It adds a layer of sophistication to your complaints!
Fixed Form
Never write 'à tous va' or 'à toute va.' It is a fossilized expression, meaning it never changes.
Journalistic Style
If you're writing a C1 essay about the economy, use 'privatisations à tout va' or 'subventions à tout va' to show off your range.
Irony Alert
French people often use this with a slight roll of the eyes. It's rarely a compliment.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the expression.
Depuis qu'il a gagné au loto, il offre des cadeaux ___ à ses amis.
The expression is fixed and invariable: 'à tout va'.
Which sentence uses 'à tout va' correctly?
Select the correct usage:
'À tout va' describes indiscriminate, repetitive action, like criticizing everyone.
Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.
A: Tu as vu le nouveau stagiaire ? B: Oui, il pose des questions ___ , c'est un peu gênant.
'À tout va' fits perfectly to describe someone asking questions to everyone/about everything without restraint.
Match the situation to the sentence using 'à tout va'.
Situation: A company is trying to hide a scandal by releasing many different press releases.
Communicating 'à tout va' implies sending out a lot of information to everyone to drown out the scandal.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Quantity vs. Speed
Practice Bank
4 exercisesDepuis qu'il a gagné au loto, il offre des cadeaux ___ à ses amis.
The expression is fixed and invariable: 'à tout va'.
Select the correct usage:
'À tout va' describes indiscriminate, repetitive action, like criticizing everyone.
A: Tu as vu le nouveau stagiaire ? B: Oui, il pose des questions ___ , c'est un peu gênant.
'À tout va' fits perfectly to describe someone asking questions to everyone/about everything without restraint.
Situation: A company is trying to hide a scandal by releasing many different press releases.
Communicating 'à tout va' implies sending out a lot of information to everyone to drown out the scandal.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsIt is neutral. You can use it with friends, but you'll also see it in high-quality newspapers. It's not slang.
Technically yes (e.g., 'distribuer des sourires à tout va'), but it usually implies a lack of control or discernment, which is often seen as negative.
'À gogo' is more informal and fun. 'À tout va' is more descriptive and can be more critical.
No. It means 'indiscriminately' or 'in large quantities.' Use 'à toute vitesse' for speed.
Yes, it means he eats everything in sight without stopping. It's very expressive!
No, it is silent. /a tu va/.
Use it carefully. Don't say you 'work à tout va' (it sounds messy). But you could say you 'avoid making decisions à tout va' (showing you are thoughtful).
Yes, very. You will hear it in debates, on the news, and in daily life when people talk about excess.
Rarely. It almost always follows a verb or a noun.
No, it is an invariable adverbial phrase.
Yes, 'va' is the 3rd person singular of 'aller'.
No, you can't say 'un homme à tout va'. You must describe their actions: 'Il critique à tout va'.
Related Phrases
À tire-larigot
synonymIn great quantities (usually for food or drink).
À gogo
synonymIn abundance / galore.
À foison
synonymPlentifully.
À tout bout de champ
similarAt every turn / constantly.
N'importe comment
similarAny which way / sloppily.
